During the recent FY09 budget debates in the House and Senate, GOAL filed an amendment to provide $20,000 of state funding to GOAL to provide firearm safety to the public giving preference to veterans. Both the Senate and the House rejected the amendment without a roll call vote.

"Since the passage of the 1998 Gun Control Act the state has mandated that anyone who wishes to practice their civil right to own a firearm must complete a State Police approved safety course. Sadly the state has never provided any funding for this type of training," said Jim Wallace Executive Director of GOAL. "The state collects approximately 2 to 3 million dollars a year from firearm license fees but tells us they cannot afford $20,000 to help educate the public on firearm safety. It makes one wonder how committed the state really is to firearm safety."

GOAL would like to thank Rep. Anthony Verga and Senator Bruce Tarr for filing the amendments on behalf of our members.